Wouter Basson inquiry enters 4th day

Johannesburg - An inquiry into the alleged unethical conduct of cardiologist Wouter Basson will continue for the fourth day in Pretoria on Thursday.

On Wednesday, an American medical ethics expert maintained that Dr Wouter Basson's conduct as head of South Africa's apartheid-era chemical and biological warfare programme was unethical.

This was despite the fact that portions of his opinion were deleted after a ruling by a professional conduct committee of the Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA).

The council concluded that expert witness Steven Miles could only rely on selected portions of Basson's evidence during his criminal trial, which ended in April 2002, and nothing more.

Criminal trial

Basson's advocate Jaap Cilliers pointed out that Miles had only been presented with about five percent of Basson's total evidence in his criminal trial.

Basson was acquitted on 46 charges, ranging from murder to drug dealing and fraud, more than nine years ago.

The HPCSA was investigating Basson’s conduct while he was head of the chemical and biological weapons programme.

According to the charge sheet, Basson manufactured Mandrax and ecstasy for the apartheid government.

The council was looking into six charges of unethical or unprofessional conduct relating to alleged human rights abuses Basson committed during the apartheid era. Charges were brought against him in 2007.

Earlier this week, the HPCSA decided not to proceed with some of the charges laid against Basson.

Last year, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria dismissed an application by Basson that would have prevented the HPCSA from continuing the inquiry. Basson wanted the hearings to be found unlawful, unreasonable and unfair.

Basson currently has a cardiology practice in Durbanville, Cape Town.

Comments

Bardy - 2011-09-29 09:25

Free the man!!!

Civil_Rights - 2011-09-29 09:30

If this case continues the cardiologist might get a heart attack. I don't know much about this case but hopefully justice will be served. If his a free man so be it, if his not than let justice take it's course.

Agwambo - 2011-09-29 11:17

Bardy, actually I believe people on this forum should start 'Lock Basson and throw away the keys" campaign. That is the only way justice will be achieved

Kgaogelo - 2011-09-29 11:23

Funny how people were so desperate that Selebi and Malema be punished but when it comes to Basson people call for forgiveness. And guess who are those people?

Bardy - 2011-09-29 11:24

@ Agwambo & Kgaogelo. This man was following instructions from the old regime. He had no choice. What was he supposed to tell his superiors? No? Selebi and Malema's acts are out of their own free will. That is the diffenrence! This man is a asset to society. You do not get many cardiologists in SA anymore because they are all migrating due to this country being so messed up! And now the ANC wants to lock up one of them that are left?

Kgaogelo - 2011-09-29 11:33

Well let me just say let the justice will take it's course. It's not like I'm saying he should be locked and vise versa. What I was trying to point out was that if this was a black man,he wouldn't see the light of the day.

Cynix - 2011-09-29 11:40

In this country we have ANC bombers, one became chief of police(until he shot himself in the foot) and more of which we do not know about, a late minister who almost singlehandedly escalated the AIDS epidemic, an ex-president who denied the existance of AIDS - good heavens we have a doctor who can and do good work - let him get on with it! This is plain spite an a challenge to egos!

Bardy - 2011-09-29 11:47

@ Kgaogelo. I beg to differ boet! There are a lot of black people who have done wrong and are walking free. The biggest example is Malema! And this is not about race in any case so I don't know why you would bring this up. The man is innocent! Let him go! But the ANC is determined for some or other personal reason to get him locked up! He is being victimized!

Kgaogelo - 2011-09-29 11:56

@Bardy,well if you say so.

Swart_Baas - 2011-09-29 09:27

leave Basson alone! whats wrong with these kangaroo court! Basson was acquitted and I dont see how this micky-mouse body can claim to be supreme to the LAWS o fthis country.

shellerjc - 2011-09-29 09:29

Why are the americans getting involved in this ??
They are the biggest culprits when it comes to race issues.

sniperman - 2011-09-29 09:36

And in inventing chemical weapons. Just think how many Vietnam vets are still suffering the after effects of "Agent Orange"

Veld66 - 2011-09-29 09:30

A MEDICAL DOCTOR SHOULD BE THERE TO SAVE LIVES NOT HELP TAKE THEM AWAY!! ITS ETHICS

Tolerant - 2011-09-29 10:41

He is doing that now, if we can forgive Mr Mandela, we can forgive Basson.

Cynix - 2011-09-29 12:22

Veltie - go to any state hospital and see how and if ethics apply?!

Christo - 2011-09-29 09:30

Who the hell cares?

OldSA - 2011-09-29 09:35

Wouter, you only followed command, go work in a country where your services will be appreciated. Your knowledge is worth a lot more than what you earn in a country like the New Corrupt South Africa.

JMan - 2011-09-29 09:41

Tomorrow's Headline:
Wouter Basson inquiry enters 5th day!
Seriously.

Christo - 2011-09-29 09:47

LMAO, You should apply for a job at news24. You only need to know 2 things.
"Somebody SLAMS somebody", when he disagreed on something small and insignificant and in sport "this team CRUSHED this team", and then the score was 15-12.

Mndala Smit - 2011-09-29 10:01

What is this Witch Hunt?

Hads - 2011-09-29 10:04

At what stage will we start prosecuting the ANC for their war crimes against our people? If he must face this humiliation then when will America, Germany AND Russia be accused of the chemical warefare that they waged. We never ever used chemical weapons on anybody in this country.

The_Realist - 2011-09-29 10:42

"At what stage will we start prosecuting the ANC for their war crimes against our people"
starting with tarboy mbeggi who due to his HIV & AIDS fiasco caused the death of THOUSANDS of our people!

Hads - 2011-09-29 10:15

Ngqeku you display such ignorance. You talk about killing innocent people.......I suppose the white farmers you are killing almost on a daily basis are not innocent. Our government never killed innocent people, only you militants.

Babhekile - 2011-09-29 10:20

I dont see a need for all this but if there are no costs accrued because of all this (tax payers money)you can continue "inquiring". Seriously, He may have done whatever but it's long time ago and whether he goes to jail or not I dont see how SA will benefit. What will change SA is to deal with corruption in Governance that hinders service delivery. Let's use our common sense.

Blinkpens - 2011-09-29 10:22

10 out of 10

Cynix - 2011-09-29 15:06

Ditto

Dan154 - 2011-09-29 10:33

let them throw this a$$hole in hell I hope. He is surely a devil incarnate.

Jacobus van Tonder - 2011-09-29 10:44

He followed orders from the top floor.... and you know what, thats why some of us just didn't bother putting your brothers in a hole, up North, we knew that there will be a "papagaio" like you, never ending...

Tolerant - 2011-09-29 10:50

He killed no one and probably saved a 1000 people or more the last 30 years as a doctor. Don't chase away our SA doctors or we might end up with Cuban drs.

lungelo mpatho - 2011-09-29 10:41

mubambeni umthakathi! they should just give him the same medicine he gave to his victims....i'd call it justice.

The_Realist - 2011-09-29 11:23

"they should just give him the same medicine he gave to his victims"
i call this ignorance!

Agwambo - 2011-09-29 11:26

I don't see this happening if the judge is white Lungelo; yet is the right thing to do

Ingie - 2011-09-29 11:09

Hes white thats why they are dragging this out.
If zuma/malema would be walking

Ingie - 2011-09-29 11:15

Maybe to sort this out quicker - he should all of a sudden develop high blood pressure and be hospitalized for 18 months. Or maybe get a mental disorder...finished and klaar.

The_Realist - 2011-09-29 11:25

these 'symptoms' are reserved only for the guilty!

I_Say - 2011-09-29 11:23

He should be thankful that the same people he murdered and plotted to exterminate are giving him a fair opportunity to present his case.
- Thank the ANC that your sorry a$$ is still alive!!!

jacquesbasso - 2011-09-29 17:24

To all my beloved countrymen. The courts have found dr Wouter Basson innocent of any murder charge. If the medical profession is really concerned about ethical conduct amongst their members, they should rather pertition the state laws which legalice murder of unborn babies (abortions)on request. Let us all unite and support those doctors who are "pro life" doctors. Has anybody kept count of Dr Wouter Basson's record in this regard since 1994, as he is demonstrated his loyalty towards the new SA.

De - 2011-09-30 13:48

If they need to lock him up- then most people in RSA must be locked up!!!! He did nothing wrong!Rather looking at the HPCSA that is waisting tax payers money- that is shocking!!!!